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Why study speech, language, and hearing?

Because communication is central to human behavior, and the treatment of communication disorders requires specialized knowledge and skills.

We extend a hearty Kansas Jayhawk welcome from the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing: Sciences & Disorders at the University of Kansas. Together with our sister department, Hearing & Speech (Dr. John Ferraro, Chairperson) at the University of Kansas Medical Center, the Intercampus Program in Communicative Disorders represents one of the country’s premier research and training programs in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences consistently ranked as a top program by U.S. News and World Report.

Beginning with the undergraduate experience, you'll find stimulating coursework, clinical observation and a variety of hands-on laboratory projects. Individuals with bachelor degrees may work as an assistant to licensed professionals in settings such as schools and clinics. Further, the SPLH undergraduate degree can prepare you for careers in a range of fields related to communication disorders including neuroscience, medicine and related health professions, education and assistive technology.

More commonly, an undergraduate degree in speech-language hearing is an entry point for graduate study in speech-language pathology or audiology. At the graduate level, a two-year master’s curriculum prepares future clinicians for practice as speech-language pathologists and a two-year part-time Doctorate of Speech-Language Pathology prepares students for administrative leadership positions in schools and clinics. At the doctoral level, we offer a four-year Doctorate of Audiology degree that prepares students for entry into the clinical practice of audiology. Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists are in high demand and this demand is predicted to remain strong. We also grant a Doctor of Philosophy in Speech-Language Pathology and in Audiology. These degrees are individually tailored to meet the student's interest in producing the next generation of speech-language-hearing scientists to solve the questions of tomorrow. World-class academic and clinical faculty integrate expertise among a diverse range of content areas in state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities to provide you with a comprehensive and rewarding educational experience, and a gateway into your future.

Three students received Undergraduate Research Awards for SPLH projects in the Spring 2018 semester! Congratulations to Grace Carlson (mentored by Navin Viswanathan), Beth Fentress (mentored by Holly Storkel) and Bri Marsh (mentored by Jon Brumberg).